Women in Idaho deserve a Legislature that Delivers
Opinion By Idaho Senator Ron Taylor, D-Hailey 4-17-24
Women in Idaho finally got a big win for reproductive freedom and health care with the passage of S1234, a common sense bill to expand access to prescription contraception for up to six months at a time. What should have been a simple task, was a hard fought battle in the political landscape where the supermajority has whittled away our freedoms and installed policies of forced pregnancy even when facing a crisis pregnancy.
The best way to promote women’s autonomy and prevent the need for abortions is to expand access to contraception and comprehensive sexual health education. Knowledge and access to health care sets the stage for healthy relationships and empowering women’s lives.
It was an honor to cosponsor this legislation with Senator Wintrow who worked tirelessly for years with partners like Planned Parenthood, the medical community, and other community stakeholders to advance this important bill. Before her, Senator Buckner-Webb laid the foundation and persevered even in the face of numerous GOP roadblocks and excuses.
I am inspired by these women and so many more who have served as powerful role models in the fight for women’s equality and reproductive freedom. Men need to be more involved, vocal and supportive in this movement. I feel privileged that I was able to help pass a bill that empowers women and makes their lives a little easier. It’s women in our communities who are working multiple jobs to provide for their children, who take on the brunt of caring for aging parents, who are still not earning equal pay to men, and have been facing an onslaught of bills that do more to hinder than help them thrive.
Idahoans deserve better. They deserve access to reproductive health care, including contraception, not maternity deserts in a state where a quarter of our OB/GYNs have left, and because of the legal murkiness, three labor and delivery units have closed. Increased access to contraception should be an easy ask in a state where it’s dangerous to be pregnant.
As long as Democratic legislators have been fighting for increased access to contraception, the majority party has been passing laws to limit sex education, force unplanned pregnancy, hinder planned pregnancy by attacking IVF, limit rights of the LGBTQ+ community, and now redefine gender and sex to box women into a their fringe idea of a “traditional wife.” This past session, the House passed a resolution to define a mother and father raising their biological children as “the best”, demeaning single parents, step parents, same sex couples, and anyone who chooses not to have children as “inferior.”
The majority party has left the majority of Idahoans behind. S1234 should have passed in a landslide, but in the end, it passed the Idaho House by only 1 vote!
This does not take away from the importance and benefits that this bill will have, but it should be a wake up call that it is more important than ever that we work to elect legislators who actually understand and value the needs of the women in our state.
As a first term legislator, I have learned a great deal; I am committed to fighting for equality and policies that create opportunities where everyone can thrive. I will continue to fight against government overreach and those policies that dictate our lives from the bedroom to the boardroom. Government should not be dictating when and if someone chooses to have children; that’s a personal decision that should be made in the privacy of one’s home, or with their physician, or any loved one they choose-not by politicians who they’ve never met.
Opinion Piece
A friend of mine dropped by unannounced the other day. We had a wonderful visit, reliving old times, talking about how much Idaho has changed over the years. We spoke of friends that are no longer with us, good times, hardships we have endured, and the benefits and drawbacks of getting older. We spoke at length about family values, agreeing we both support strong moral principles, good education, the opportunity to provide a way for our children to have ensure a good life. That is a conversation not just in Idaho but shared across America. Eventually our discussion turned to politics and the upcoming legislative session starting in January 2024. My friend asked me, in all sincerity, to explain why Idaho politics has become so divisive. Why have politicians become so argumentative and disrespectful of one another? As a politician, I took to heart what I was hearing, not with a grain of salt, but with a heaping spoonful of embarrassment for how Idaho’s legislature is perceived.
Being the first to admit that politics, politicians, and ideologies in the US and Idaho are becoming more extreme, I find it alarming that some politicians feel the need to adhere to a party platform and that adherence appears to be more important than listening to and representing the people of Idaho. There is no longer a focus for working on behalf of the people who elected us. It seems we spend our time arguing amongst ourselves over matters better left to the family or individual instead of focusing on important issues like ensuring that all Idahoan’s have access to affordable healthcare, free public education, and the liberty to follow his or her own convictions without fear of reprisal.
Many politicians do not understand that morality or values cannot be legislated. Values differ from individual to individual. It is not to say one person’s values are better than or worse than another’s, just different. There is disagreement over what books should be in a library or who can sue whom for reasons that are, truthfully, just plain punitive in nature. During all this bickering, we forget to acknowledge and provide support to those people and organizations that help everyday Idahoans. I feel improving reimbursement rates for Medicare/Medicaid providers, long lasting and meaningful tax relief, funding childcare across the state as well as care for our population of people with developmental disabilities would be a better use of our time. We need to find ways to encourage medical professionals to move to Idaho instead of passing legislation discouraging them from practicing in the State of Idaho.
My friend asked me, “If we (the politicians) were to put our differences aside, what would we have?” My answer was this. A group of people who agree and want the freedom to provide a better life for themselves and their children. People that desire the freedom to choose their healthcare professionals and the type of care they need. Those that believe in having access to an education system that will embolden their children to think critically, not singularly.
As an elected official I exemplify integrity, dignity, and civility. Anger and frustration lead to roadblocks. Name calling and being disrespectful are not productive. Common sense is necessary in our decision making, remembering that no matter how thin or blurry a line might be, there are always two sides. Collaboration and understanding are from all involved will ensure that Idaho remains the Gem State.
SB 1161 Empowering Parents Grant Program.
This bill underwent extensive debate. In the end, it passed the Senate floor 19-15-1. This bill takes $30 million from the above mentioned $330 million to fund the Empowering Parents Grant program. This bill also creates a pilot program for five years for up to 2,000 students per year to provide a tuition grant of $6,000 per student. This money will be used for private schooling. As a colleague said, “this is a winner for 2000 students, the rest of the students lose.”
HB 292 is a property tax relief bill.
It would provide $355 million in tax relief immediate and ongoing. It also provides $100 million to public schools to pay off bonds and levies, with the ability to use any leftover money on their facilities. One issue with this is that the bill removes the March school district election date for bonds and levies. This election date was a negotiated date and is important to our school boards. We have worked hard to get this amended but with no luck.
HB 205 is a voting restriction bill.
This would have repealed no-excuse, absentee voting; a method of voting we have had in place since 1970. Fortunately, the bill was killed in the House.
The Best News of the Week
SB 1127 State Dinosaur 35-0
Thanks to the fourth-grade class at South Fork Elementary School, Idaho now has a state dinosaur!!! Oryctodromeus. This is the best known and most common dinosaur found in Idaho. This dinosaur has only been discovered in Idaho. This dinosaur is believed to have been an herbivore that cared for its young in family groups underground. Pretty cool to have state dinosaur! (I stood and thanked the fourth graders for not choosing me as the state dinosaur).
I reached my goal of 10,000 steps a day for the month of February. Blue Cross of Idaho challenged all legislators to achieve this. As a result, Blue Cross of Idaho will donate $1000.00 dollars to the Valley School District. This year the program generated $47,000.00 dollars for public Idaho elementary schools.
Right to Vote
Elections are over. Whether the candidate you voted for was successful or not, the important thing is, you voted. The 15thamendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1 Section 19 of the Idaho Constitution guarantee your right to vote. It is a right that should never be taken for granted.
Last session there was an attempt to rewrite the ballot initiative process (SJR101), making it incredibly difficult for the public to place an issue on the ballot for Idahoans to vote on. Thankfully, that attempt failed. My number one priority is protecting our right to vote - our right to have a voice in what we call the democratic process.
It was very encouraging to see so many of our Wood River Valley youth involved with the election process this November. A big shout out to educator Heidi Husbands for her passion in teaching the next generation about our form of government, including the importance of having thoughtful dialogue amongst ourselves and remembering that disagreeing with someone does not make them the enemy. It makes them a source of information. I like to remind myself that no matter how thin the line might be, there always two sides of it. It is helpful to see things from more than one perspective when making decisions. While our Democratic Republic might not be perfect, it sure is better than any other form of government I have yet come across.
For those people who chose to run for office, I thank you. Please stay engaged with the issues that prompted you to run. It is that kind of participation that makes our democracy work. To quote Heidi, “politics is not for the weary at heart”. It is time consuming, exhausting, expensive, but very worthwhile.
SB 1161 Empowering Parents Grant Program.
This bill underwent extensive debate. In the end, it passed the Senate floor 19-15-1. This bill takes $30 million from the above mentioned $330 million to fund the Empowering Parents Grant program. This bill also creates a pilot program for five years for up to 2,000 students per year to provide a tuition grant of $6,000 per student. This money will be used for private schooling. As a colleague said, “this is a winner for 2000 students, the rest of the students lose.”
HB 292 is a property tax relief bill.
It would provide $355 million in tax relief immediate and ongoing. It also provides $100 million to public schools to pay off bonds and levies, with the ability to use any leftover money on their facilities. One issue with this is that the bill removes the March school district election date for bonds and levies. This election date was a negotiated date and is important to our school boards. We have worked hard to get this amended but with no luck.
HB 205 is a voting restriction bill.
This would have repealed no-excuse, absentee voting; a method of voting we have had in place since 1970. Fortunately, the bill was killed in the House.
The Best News of the Week
SB 1127 State Dinosaur 35-0
Thanks to the fourth-grade class at South Fork Elementary School, Idaho now has a state dinosaur!!! Oryctodromeus. This is the best known and most common dinosaur found in Idaho. This dinosaur has only been discovered in Idaho. This dinosaur is believed to have been an herbivore that cared for its young in family groups underground. Pretty cool to have state dinosaur! (I stood and thanked the fourth graders for not choosing me as the state dinosaur).
I reached my goal of 10,000 steps a day for the month of February. Blue Cross of Idaho challenged all legislators to achieve this. As a result, Blue Cross of Idaho will donate $1000.00 dollars to the Valley School District. This year the program generated $47,000.00 dollars for public Idaho elementary schools.
Cybersecurity
Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Idaho Office of Emergency Management’s Annual Preparedness and Cybersecurity Conference in Boise.
This conference is an education, outreach, and training event for local and state government officials including emergency managers, County Commissioners, Tribal Council Members, and cybersecurity professionals.
We heard Idaho’s Region X coordinator discuss cybersecurity resources available to both public and private sector stakeholders and how CISA (cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency) works to defend the homeland from cyber-attacks.
Participating in an ‘escape room’ scenario designed by INL tested our group’s ability to communicate and coordinate multiple forms of information/data to access and restore critical life support systems aboard an imaginary space station.
Other topics ranged from how to defend against fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars, lessons learned from this summer’s multi-site attack on Idaho Power’s critical infrastructure, the potential impacts of climate change on Idaho’s future water resource, and the role that Idaho Emergency Managers can play in Local Housing issues.
Delving into the world of artificial intelligence was the highlight of the week. The keynote address was given by Glen Woodbury, Professor of the Practice Emeritus, Center for Homeland Defense and Security, Naval Postgraduate School. This was a riveting presentation on the evolution of AI, with a focus on the potential benefits and risks associated with this fast-evolving and often unpredictable technology.
Living in a rapidly changing world, cybersecurity threats continue to loom large, and it is crucial that we take proactive steps to protect our community's critical infrastructure.
I commend our State’s Emergency Managers, their staff and the IT gurus that work hard every day to keep us safe.
SB 1161 Empowering Parents Grant Program.
This bill underwent extensive debate. In the end, it passed the Senate floor 19-15-1. This bill takes $30 million from the above mentioned $330 million to fund the Empowering Parents Grant program. This bill also creates a pilot program for five years for up to 2,000 students per year to provide a tuition grant of $6,000 per student. This money will be used for private schooling. As a colleague said, “this is a winner for 2000 students, the rest of the students lose.”
HB 292 is a property tax relief bill.
It would provide $355 million in tax relief immediate and ongoing. It also provides $100 million to public schools to pay off bonds and levies, with the ability to use any leftover money on their facilities. One issue with this is that the bill removes the March school district election date for bonds and levies. This election date was a negotiated date and is important to our school boards. We have worked hard to get this amended but with no luck.
HB 205 is a voting restriction bill.
This would have repealed no-excuse, absentee voting; a method of voting we have had in place since 1970. Fortunately, the bill was killed in the House.
The Best News of the Week
SB 1127 State Dinosaur 35-0
Thanks to the fourth-grade class at South Fork Elementary School, Idaho now has a state dinosaur!!! Oryctodromeus. This is the best known and most common dinosaur found in Idaho. This dinosaur has only been discovered in Idaho. This dinosaur is believed to have been an herbivore that cared for its young in family groups underground. Pretty cool to have state dinosaur! (I stood and thanked the fourth graders for not choosing me as the state dinosaur).
I reached my goal of 10,000 steps a day for the month of February. Blue Cross of Idaho challenged all legislators to achieve this. As a result, Blue Cross of Idaho will donate $1000.00 dollars to the Valley School District. This year the program generated $47,000.00 dollars for public Idaho elementary schools.
Values
We are fortunate to live in Idaho where we enjoy four seasons, fresh air, and blue skies. Idahoans are independent, industrious, and innovative. We are built from a strong work ethic. We help our neighbors when the need is there, and we do so without being asked or asking for anything in return.
We are caring.
Idaho is a state where our values drive our decisions and our way of life.
We cherish a safe place to raise our families. We understand the value of education, and how important that is to the future success of our children. We value our democracy and our freedom to vote, our natural resources and our robust agricultural industry.
These are a few examples; there are many more.
When elected last year as your State Senator I was given the opportunity to represent Blaine, Jerome, and Lincoln counties to stand in defense of those values. I am concerned legislation will continue to be brought forth in an attempt to alter our way of life and impose differing values.
Please know that I value and support equal opportunity and rights for ALL Idahoans. I continue to support funding for our public education system as mandated by our state’s constitution. It is imperative that our children receive the best education possible. I am dedicated to protecting and preserving Idaho’s natural resources ensuring they will be there to enjoy for many generations to come. Advocating for accessible and affordable quality health care, regardless of who you are, where you live or if you can pay, continues to be a priority for me. Ensuring our vast agricultural economy continues to thrive is of utmost importance for Idaho. I will defend our right to vote and to ensure the election process is fair.
The last legislative session ended April 6th, 2023, but the work never stopped. This summer has been filled with meetings, seminars, planning sessions, and most importantly, spending time with my constituents listening to their concerns. Representing Idaho in the Pacific Northwest Region Economic Development Region and building relationships with our neighbors was one of the highlights of the summer for me. The next legislative session begins on January 8th, 2024. If you have any questions or concerns, I look forward to hearing from you. I can be reached at rtaylor@senate.idaho.gov
It has been a truly humbling experience and I am thankful to all of you who supported and encouraged me to seek this position.
SB 1161 Empowering Parents Grant Program.
This bill underwent extensive debate. In the end, it passed the Senate floor 19-15-1. This bill takes $30 million from the above mentioned $330 million to fund the Empowering Parents Grant program. This bill also creates a pilot program for five years for up to 2,000 students per year to provide a tuition grant of $6,000 per student. This money will be used for private schooling. As a colleague said, “this is a winner for 2000 students, the rest of the students lose.”
HB 292 is a property tax relief bill.
It would provide $355 million in tax relief immediate and ongoing. It also provides $100 million to public schools to pay off bonds and levies, with the ability to use any leftover money on their facilities. One issue with this is that the bill removes the March school district election date for bonds and levies. This election date was a negotiated date and is important to our school boards. We have worked hard to get this amended but with no luck.
HB 205 is a voting restriction bill.
This would have repealed no-excuse, absentee voting; a method of voting we have had in place since 1970. Fortunately, the bill was killed in the House.
The Best News of the Week
SB 1127 State Dinosaur 35-0
Thanks to the fourth-grade class at South Fork Elementary School, Idaho now has a state dinosaur!!! Oryctodromeus. This is the best known and most common dinosaur found in Idaho. This dinosaur has only been discovered in Idaho. This dinosaur is believed to have been an herbivore that cared for its young in family groups underground. Pretty cool to have state dinosaur! (I stood and thanked the fourth graders for not choosing me as the state dinosaur).
I reached my goal of 10,000 steps a day for the month of February. Blue Cross of Idaho challenged all legislators to achieve this. As a result, Blue Cross of Idaho will donate $1000.00 dollars to the Valley School District. This year the program generated $47,000.00 dollars for public Idaho elementary schools.
Early Fall Update
Primary elections and Quagga mussels
To bring everyone up to date, there will not be a special session of the Idaho Legislature this year.
As hard as the Senate worked to secure a presidential primary in the month of May, our across the rotunda colleagues were set on holding a primary in March, and neither side could come to agreement.
If you remember, last session there was a big push to eradicate school district bond/levy elections. Low voter turnout was cited as one of the driving factors for this. The removal of this language also resulted in removing the March presidential primary election.
What is the big deal?
A March presidential primary election will have a very low voter turn-out (as evidenced by removing school elections points out). A March election would cost Idaho taxpayers close to 3 million dollars.
A May presidential primary will save Idaho taxpayers close to 3 million dollars. It will provide a better voter turnout, not just for the presidential primary, but for state and local issues as well.
2024 will see caucuses across the state. I know that the legislature will be working hard to bring a May presidential primary back to Idaho in 2026.
Quagga mussels:
If you have never heard of these mussels, you are fortunate. Idaho has done an incredible job of keeping this highly invasive species from infesting our waterways. Unfortunately, this mussel has been detected in the Snake River. This mussel reproduces at an incredible rate and has the potential to destroy Idaho’s agricultural and tourism industries. The Idaho Department of Agriculture and numerous other state and Federal agencies are working together to address this situation.
Treatment to remove this species from the water way will begin on October 3rd and should be completed by October 14th.
This is a very serious situation, and it requires all of us to be vigilant, adhere to closure postings and follow decontamination procedures. I urge you to go to Idaho.gov/quagga for daily updates.
Up Coming Events in the next two weeks:
Idaho Sportsman Policy Meeting
Trailing of the Sheep
CSI legislative tour
Pacific Northwest Economic Region Leadership forum
Idaho Cattle Association meeting and tour
South Central Public Health meeting
IACI legislative meet and greet
IDHW ride-along
Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments or concerns.
SB 1161 Empowering Parents Grant Program.
This bill underwent extensive debate. In the end, it passed the Senate floor 19-15-1. This bill takes $30 million from the above mentioned $330 million to fund the Empowering Parents Grant program. This bill also creates a pilot program for five years for up to 2,000 students per year to provide a tuition grant of $6,000 per student. This money will be used for private schooling. As a colleague said, “this is a winner for 2000 students, the rest of the students lose.”
HB 292 is a property tax relief bill.
It would provide $355 million in tax relief immediate and ongoing. It also provides $100 million to public schools to pay off bonds and levies, with the ability to use any leftover money on their facilities. One issue with this is that the bill removes the March school district election date for bonds and levies. This election date was a negotiated date and is important to our school boards. We have worked hard to get this amended but with no luck.
HB 205 is a voting restriction bill.
This would have repealed no-excuse, absentee voting; a method of voting we have had in place since 1970. Fortunately, the bill was killed in the House.
The Best News of the Week
SB 1127 State Dinosaur 35-0
Thanks to the fourth-grade class at South Fork Elementary School, Idaho now has a state dinosaur!!! Oryctodromeus. This is the best known and most common dinosaur found in Idaho. This dinosaur has only been discovered in Idaho. This dinosaur is believed to have been an herbivore that cared for its young in family groups underground. Pretty cool to have state dinosaur! (I stood and thanked the fourth graders for not choosing me as the state dinosaur).
I reached my goal of 10,000 steps a day for the month of February. Blue Cross of Idaho challenged all legislators to achieve this. As a result, Blue Cross of Idaho will donate $1000.00 dollars to the Valley School District. This year the program generated $47,000.00 dollars for public Idaho elementary schools.
Week 8
Bait and Switch
Last years legislature, in September, held a special session where $330 million was promised for public schools in Idaho. Well, the appropriations committee wants to move that money from the dedicated fund to the general fund.
This money was meant to be on top of what already was marked for schools, not replace what has been used already.
SB 1161 Empowering Parents Grant Program.
This bill underwent extensive debate. In the end, it passed the Senate floor 19-15-1. This bill takes $30 million from the above mentioned $330 million to fund the Empowering Parents Grant program. This bill also creates a pilot program for five years for up to 2,000 students per year to provide a tuition grant of $6,000 per student. This money will be used for private schooling. As a colleague said, “this is a winner for 2000 students, the rest of the students lose.”
HB 292 is a property tax relief bill.
It would provide $355 million in tax relief immediate and ongoing. It also provides $100 million to public schools to pay off bonds and levies, with the ability to use any leftover money on their facilities. One issue with this is that the bill removes the March school district election date for bonds and levies. This election date was a negotiated date and is important to our school boards. We have worked hard to get this amended but with no luck.
HB 205 is a voting restriction bill.
This would have repealed no-excuse, absentee voting; a method of voting we have had in place since 1970. Fortunately, the bill was killed in the House.
The Best News of the Week
SB 1127 State Dinosaur 35-0
Thanks to the fourth-grade class at South Fork Elementary School, Idaho now has a state dinosaur!!! Oryctodromeus. This is the best known and most common dinosaur found in Idaho. This dinosaur has only been discovered in Idaho. This dinosaur is believed to have been an herbivore that cared for its young in family groups underground. Pretty cool to have state dinosaur! (I stood and thanked the fourth graders for not choosing me as the state dinosaur).
I reached my goal of 10,000 steps a day for the month of February. Blue Cross of Idaho challenged all legislators to achieve this. As a result, Blue Cross of Idaho will donate $1000.00 dollars to the Valley School District. This year the program generated $47,000.00 dollars for public Idaho elementary schools.
Week 7
Here is a brief snapshot of what is happening under the dome…
Bill Number: S1056 Passed 24-9-2
MILITARY AND MILITIA – Repeals and adds to existing law to prohibit cities and towns from supporting certain military companies or organizations and to provide exceptions.
The following language is being repealed:
46-802. UNORGANIZED ASSOCIATIONS PROHIBITED -- PARADES PROHIBITED -- EXCEPTIONS. No body of men, other than the regularly organized national guard, the unorganized militia when called into service of the state, or of the United States, and except such as are regularly recognized and provided for by the laws of the state of Idaho and of the United States, shall associate themselves together as a military company or organization, or parade in public with firearms in any city or town of this state.
This is the worst thing to pass the Senate to date this session. This piece of legislation removes the prohibition on forming militias and allows militias to ‘parade’ while fully armed. In short, any group of people may assemble, march, and carry weapons in any parade, or gather outside someone’s home or place of business. The ramifications of this are substantial, and quite frankly, very scary.
A Quick Update on Language Introduced in Legislation
Private Right of Action:
This language has been introduced in ten bills (to date) this session and this language is being used as the primary enforcement mechanism for prosed new laws. A private right of action creates a bounty system where people can go looking for something wrong and then sue the intended target. An example of this is SB1100, better known as the ‘bathroom bill.’ If a person in a public school were to accidentally walk into the wrong bathroom and someone sees this, the school could be sued and the statute of limitations for bringing a suit forward is 4 years. Another example is HB 242. This bill makes it an imprisonable crime to drive a pregnant woman over state lines to receive an abortion. The private right of action in this case would allow the father, grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles of the preborn child to all sue the physician for $20,000.00 each, again with a 4-year statute of limitations to file.
This language, simply put, turns citizens against each other. Using a private right of action to enforce the law is wrong. Enforcement of the law should be left to those who are motivated by ensuring justice, not monetary rewards.
On the Positive Side
Bill Number: HB 63 Died in Committee 3-3-1
Sincerely Held Principles.
HB 63 proposed to provide conscience protection for counselors. What? After reading the bill, it is more of an anti-gay, anti-trans, anti-you have different beliefs than I do bill. Therapists and their patients should work together to find the best possible course of action.
Bill Number: HB 213 Passed
Rural Nursing Loan Repayment Program
This bill was designed to bring nurses to rural Idaho while providing a program assisting them financially. The program provides up to $25,000.00 per nurse, over a three-year period, in loan re-payment. This program has the ability to help one hundred nurses and sets a sunset clause to the program in 2029.
Good News of the Week
After a quick trip home to Hailey on Friday afternoon, shoveling the roof, having a great home-cooked dinner, and sleeping in, Alex and I made it back to Boise in time for the Frank and Bethine Church Gala.
We had such an enjoyable time that we did not get photos, sorry :(
Week 6
Here is a brief snapshot of what is happening under the dome…
Monday, January 27th, 2023, was a terribly busy day on the senate floor. We only addressed two bills, but it took about 2 ½ hours of spirited debate to make headway.
Bill Number Senate Joint Resolution 101:
Passed the Senate floor on party lines with one R voting against.
This is the piece of legislation that will ask the voters of Idaho if they want to change Idaho’s Constitution by amending Section I Article III of the Constitution. This amendment will make it more difficult to get a referendum or ballot initiative on the ballot. It would change the number of signatures needed to get a referendum or ballot initiative on the ballot. Currently, an initiative needs 6% of signatures from registered voters from thirty-five (35) counties to make it onto the ballot. This bill would require that an initiative would require 6% of signatures from all forty-four (44) counites. In essence, one county could hold hostage any proposed initiative by not meeting the new standard.
This question will come to the voters of Idaho this November. Please beware of the wording on this question. It will be written in such a manner as to confuse you. I will not be voting for this Resolution.
Bill Number S1038:
Failed to move off the Senate floor!! 12-23
The Freedom in Education Savings Account. (A misnomer if there ever was one). I heard from hundreds of people across the state asking for us to stop this bill. We did. This bill would have given ~$6,000.00 per child per year to attend the private school of their choice. This bill did not provide accountability for how the money would spent or if it would even be spent on school. There was no accountability for what curriculum would be used, or for the progress of the student. There was not a ‘claw back’ clause in the bill either. If the parents decided to remove their child from the private school and enroll them into public school, the money would remain with the family. On top of all that, this would take funding from our already underfunded public schools.
Bill Number S1094:
Passed 35-0
This legislation would extend a temporary license and registration, usually applied to U.S. Medical School graduates for residency training in Idaho, to experienced International Medical Graduates who are forcibly displaced persons to address the severe doctor shortage while simultaneously putting experienced physicians to work.
This has been in the works since May and is an example of good legislation. Thank you, Senator Wintrow!
Bill Number 1025:
Failed 16-17-1
So much debate for something that is just creating a solution for a problem that does not exist. This bill would remove the marriage license and replace it with a certificate. You can get married by any person who has the credentials and who is willing to sign a piece of paper. This legislation paves the way for taking advantage of the elderly, underage marriage and, opening the door for Idaho to become a sex tourism destination. You don’t get a vote that is much closer.
On the Lighter Side
I get the pleasure of presenting the Gubernatorial appointment of Pat McMahon to the Idaho Water Resource Board. Pat has served the Wood River Valley in many capacities: Firefighter/EMT, Assistant Fire Chief for the City of Sun Valley, Zamboni driver, and 34 years with the Sun Valley water and sewer district. He has also been an instrumental participant in the Big Wood River Water Users Association.
Good News of the Week
The Capitol had a surprise visit this week. It was so good to see Representative Toon back in the halls.
She had such a positive impact during her time in the House. She is greatly missed but I sure did enjoy catching up with her. She has so much to share.
Week 5
Week 5
Hello from the capitol!
Here is a brief snapshot of what is happening under the dome…
SCR101
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) play an important part of the first responder system in the State of Idaho. EMS personnel and volunteers save countless lives every year across our State. Currently, EMS is not classified as an essential service. As the population in Idaho grows, demand for EMS services is increasingly stressed. There is no statewide EMS system and funding for EMS services is sporadic and unreliable in many areas. This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) encourages the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to develop a plan and draft legislation to address this statewide concern.
This resolution passed the Senate with a 26-9 vote.
HB063
This bill will be coming before the Senate Health & Welfare Committee next week. It says that no person engaged in the practice of professional counseling or marriage and family therapy in the state of Idaho shall be required to counsel or serve a client regarding goals, outcomes, or behaviors that conflict with the sincerely held principles of the counselor or therapist.
This bill reads as being anti-homosexual, anti-religious, anti-everything that a counselor or therapist might find offensive.
I am looking forward to debating against this bill.
SB 1018
The manufacture, sale, delivery, holding, or offering for sale of any food that contains a vaccine or vaccine material unless the food labeling contains a conspicuous notification of the presence of the vaccine or vaccine material in the food. For purposes of this subsection, “vaccine or vaccine material” means a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against disease prepared from the causative agent of a disease or its products, or a synthetic substitute treated to act an as antigen without inducing the disease, that is authorized or approved by the United States food and drug administration.
What this is getting at is……. certain lawmakers are worried that the FDA and the Federal Government will vaccinate people against their will by placing vaccine material into the food supply.
On the lighter side
Follow-up on Colle-Voce’s visit to the Senate floor. Those young women ROCKED IT!!!!!
It was such a pleasure to have them perform. They even went to the first-floor rotunda and sang songs for the entire Capitol to hear. They received so many compliments. R.L. Rowsey was exceptional as always and Max Stimac is outstanding.
I am one proud Senator!
Week 3 – 4
Week 3 through Week 4
Hello from the capitol!
Here is a brief snapshot of what is happening under the dome…
SB1016
This bill places government restriction on public works contractors, denying them the ability to provide access to multiple-occupancy restrooms, multiple-occupancy shower facilities and changing rooms on any basis other than biological sex. In short, this bill prohibits a transgender individual from using a bathroom that does not match their biological sex as recorded on their birth certificate and it would also prevent a person from using a restroom that is not clearly marked for male or female.
This bill passed the Senate on party lines, 28-7, and is now headed to the House.
SB1005
To provide for certain disclosures by licensed daycare facilities to parents or guardians relating to immunizations.
I voted “no” on this in committee but changed my vote on the floor out of respect for the numerous comments from constituents in favor of it.
I do believe that this legislation places an undue burden on small, private businesses.
HB19
This bill barely made it off the House floor (36-34). This is the Education Savings Account bill, better known as the Idaho Launch Program. Once it got off the House floor it headed to the Senate to be assigned to Committee. It was assigned to Commerce and Human Resources. This was promptly met with an objection, asking that the bill be sent to the Education Committee. This objection was objected to. The senate was called “at ease” and the majority party headed off to caucus. One and a half hours later we re-convened, a vote was taken, and the bill was sent to Commerce and Human Resources.
I believe that this bill will make it to the Senate floor where it will meet with stiff resistance. My prediction is that it will pass, barely. I will keep you posted.
Senate Joint Resolution 101
This piece of legislation would amend the Idaho constitution, making it almost impossible for Idahoans to place an initiative on a ballot. This proposal aims to silence your voice and is a good example of government overreach and bad legislation. I have received hundreds of requests to deny this and will be voting “no” when that opportunity arrives.
SB1038
Education Savings Accounts. The Senate Education Committee is in the process of hearing public comment on this topic. They listened for three hours on Tuesday afternoon/evening and recessed until Wednesday. There is still 60+ people signed-up to comment. ESA’s are vouchers. Make no mistake about it. If this bill passes, it will devastate Idaho’s public education system. This bill will take much needed public funding away from our public school system and allow that money to be used to fund private education, erase the line between church and state with tax dollars going to religious schools. This bill does not provide for accountability or transparency of how the money is spent or the progress of the student.
On the lighter side
An upcoming Visit from the Wood River Valley
Monday, February 20th, is President’s Day. It is also Senate Memorial Day, a day that recognizes Senators who have passed away during the previous year. I am co-chair of this committee, and I am proud to announce that RL Rowsey, Max Stimac, and Colla Voche will be performing on the Senate floor. I believe that this will be the high point of the session!
HB 18 Passes both the House and the Senate!
This bill removes the sunset clause of Idaho Code 72-451 which was introduced and passed in 2019 as enumerated in 2019 Idaho Session Law, Chapter 68; making this statute permanent. Idaho Code 72-451 identifies Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) as an occupational injury that affects Idaho’s first responders (as defined in statute). If a first responder has “clear and convincing” evidence of a physiological injury, the treatment would be handled through worker’s compensation.
Stay tuned for more information. Things are starting to move very quickly.
Week 1 – 2
Week 1 through Week 2
Rules
Governor Little’s Red Tape Reduction Act and Zero-Based Regulation executive order called for state agencies to review their rule chapters systematically and eliminate redundancies. Once this is accomplished, the legislature must review that work and ensure that the changes still meet the legislative intent.
Appointments
Each committee is assigned a slate of gubernatorial appointments. The committee members review the applications, crosscheck the applicable statute, and verify that the candidate recommended is eligible to fulfill the role. Each candidate is then interviewed by the committee. Upon successful completion of this process, the candidate is introduced to the senate with a recommendation for approval. Idaho is extremely fortunate to have so many intelligent, educated, and caring people who fill these positions.
Notes on JFAC
The statehouse has seen a marked shift in ideology this year. One of the most noteworthy events that will most likely happen during this session will change the face of Idaho for years to come. Idaho is required by law to have a balanced budget every year. The Joint Finance & Appropriations Committee (JFAC) is where budgets get approved or denied. All budgets must pass through JFAC. JFAC is comprised of 10 House members and 10 Senate members. Currently, the passage of any budget requires 11 members to vote in favor. That budget then leaves JFAC and heads to the appropriate chamber for approval/denial. There is an effort underway to divide the Joint committee, House/Senate. This would result in the 10 House members voting in a bloc and the 10 Senate members voting in a bloc. Any budget would now need 12 votes to pass and only 5 votes to deny. If this division of JFAC happens, there is a very real possibility that agencies across the state will have their budgets held hostage.
Silencing of voices
Committee Chairs Representative Bruce Skaug and Representative Ehardt created rules to prohibit testimony being heard in committee on bills by anyone under 18. Their reasoning: to allow for control and to hear from adults who are taxpayers. The First Amendment is under attack.
Items to Keep an Eye On
Education Savings Accounts (aka school vouchers). There is a coordinated effort to de-fund Idaho’s public education system. Legislation is in the works to allow parents to send their children to any school of their choice, be it private, public, home school, parochial, or any other school you can think of. Tuition would be paid for with tax dollars. Tax dollars are meant for our public school system.
Medicaid Review
Medicaid expansion was ratified in 2018 by 60% of Idaho voters. This program has been an immense help to the community, unfortunately, not everyone sees the long-term benefit of the program. Almost a third of Idahoans are covered by Medicaid. We have been reviewing the pros and cons of continuing this program. I am hopeful that this budget item does not find its way to the chopping block.
Article 3 of the State Constitution
A bill has been introduced to amend the State Constitution. This bill would make it more difficult to get an initiative on the ballot by requiring signatures from 6% of voters in all counties. The Idaho Supreme Court struck down a similar measure in 2021. What makes this bill different? This bill would allow the public to vote on it to codify it into the State Constitution. Instead of a bill, maybe the good Senator who introduced this bill could obtain enough signatures and place an initiative on the ballot.
Parades and Militias
Senate Bill 1007, if passed, would repeal section 46-802 of the Idaho Code. This code prohibits members of organizations other than the National Guard, unorganized militia, or select other groups from associating and parading in public with firearms. In short, if SB1007 succeeds, any group of people could participate in any parade while carrying firearms.